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Sarah Rasmussen to Become Artistic Director of McCarter Theatre; Christina Baldwin Appointed Interim Artistic Director
(Minneapolis; April 23, 2020) — The Jungle Theater today announced that Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen, who has headed the company for the last five years, is leaving Minneapolis to become artistic director of the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, New Jersey.
The Jungle board of directors has appointed Christina Baldwin as interim artistic director, effective May 15. Baldwin has served as associate artistic director at the Jungle for the past two years.
“Sarah transformed the Jungle over the past five years, bringing inclusive and bold stories, diverse talent, and gender parity to our stage,” said Craig Ashby, president of the board. “Under her leadership, we took smart risks that paid off with critical acclaim and growing audiences. We are deeply grateful to Sarah and proud that she will be taking the helm of one of our country’s largest and most respected theaters.”
Rasmussen will succeed Emily Mann, who is retiring from McCarter after 30 years leading the theatre. Mann was one of the first women to run a major theater in this country. “I have long admired Emily and her legacy of commissioning and developing new work,” said Rasmussen. “I am energized by the conversations I’ve had with McCarter board, staff and community about this next chapter. And, as a former professor, I look forward to the possibilities between the theater and Princeton University.”
Christina Baldwin To Serve as Interim Artistic Director Two years ago, Rasmussen and the Jungle were selected for the BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle, which supports the development of female artistic leaders in theater. As part of that grant, Rasmussen hired Christina Baldwin to serve as her artistic associate. “Christina is an integral party of our artistic team here at the Jungle,” said Rasmussen. “She has directed celebrated shows like Hand to God, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and The Wickhams, in addition to performing in many others. She is beloved in our theater and music communities, and I’m truly excited about the ideas she has for the future of the Jungle. She is more than ready to take on this position.”
Robin Gillette Appointed Jungle Managing Director Ashby also announced that the board has appointed Robin Gillette as the permanent managing director, a role she has been serving in for the past eight months. “Robin’s steady administrative and financial leadership is exactly what we need, both during this time of Covid-19 and with this leadership transition,” said Ashby.
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Rasmussen will spend the next month working closely with Gillette and Baldwin on planning scenarios for the coming season and on supporting the Jungle and its artists during this challenging time of the coronavirus. "Minneapolis is the community that inspired my love of theater as a kid,” said Rasmussen. “It will always be my theatrical hometown and I look forward to staying connected and championing the work of so many artists I love here."
About Sarah Rasmussen Sarah Rasmussen started her first theater company at 14 in her hometown of Sisseton, South Dakota, after seeing a production at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. She was appointed Artistic Director of the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis in 2015 where she has commissioned new work; staged celebrated early productions of The Wolves, The Oldest Boy and Ride the Cyclone; and produced hit shows such Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, The Wickhams and School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play, among many others. She was named the Star Tribune's “Artist of the Year” in 2018 and an inaugural recipient of the BOLD Leadership Circle grant. She is the recipient of the Princess Grace Award and Drama League and Fulbright Scholar fellowships. She was formerly Resident Director for Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Black Swan Lab new work development program and Head of M.F.A. in Directing at The University of Texas at Austin. Sarah has also directed at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Guthrie, Dallas Theater Center, Actors Theater of Louisville and La Jolla Playhouse. She earned her BA from St. Olaf College and MFA from the University of California, San Diego.
About Christina Baldwin Christina Baldwin is an actor, singer, writer and director who has served as associate artistic director of the Jungle for the past two years. Most recently at the Jungle she directed the critically acclaimed Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, The Wickhams and Hand to God. She is an advocate of new work and has served as artistic associate, music director, creator and performer with The Moving Company and was a collaborator with Theatre de la Jeune Lune for nearly ten years. She also has performed with Ten Thousand Things, the Guthrie, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Minnesota Opera and numerous other companies across the country. She has been a recording artist and vocalist with the Minnesota Orchestra, a writer/actor on NPR’s “Wits,” a performer on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion,” and has lent her voice to animated short films by the Dutch filmmaker Rosto A.D, a Cannes Film Festival award-winner.
About the Jungle Theater The Jungle Theater creates courageous, resonant theater that challenges, entertains and sparks expansive conversation. As a neighborhood theater with national impact, the Jungle focuses on telling stories that matter, with deep care and attention to detail. In recent years, the Jungle has been recognized for bringing new voices and gender parity to the stage, and for renewing its commitment to commissioning and producing new work. The Jungle is deeply rooted in its Lyn-Lake neighborhood in Minneapolis and plays a vital role in the economic and cultural development of the area. More at jungletheater.org.
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About McCarter Theatre Center McCarter’s mission is to create world-class theater and present the finest artists for the engagement, education, and entertainment of the community. Winner of the 1994 Tony Award® for Outstanding Regional Theatre, world premieres include Christopher Durang’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (2013 Tony® – Best Play); Tarell Alvin McCraney’s The Brother/Sister Plays; Emily Mann’s Having Our Say; and Danai Gurira’s The Convert. McCarter brings artists from around the world to Princeton, including David Sedaris, Rhiannon Giddens, Wynton Marsalis, and more. Education and outreach efforts serve tens of thousands through student matinees, in-school residencies, and adult classes. More at mccarter.org.
Connect with the Jungle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @jungletheater Headshots are available at jungletheater.org/press in the press room files.
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